BRIMFIELD - John W. and Jane Freeman, of the Freeman Farm, at 228 Little Alum Road will open their 300-acre property to visitors on Sept. 11 for a woodland walk.

The brother-and-sister farming team have owned the property since 1975, but had been familiar with it while growing up as a family friend lived there. They purchased additional acreage over the years and were awarded the honor of being the 1997 Massachusetts Tree Farm of the Year.

They now have a sawmill on the property and sell firewood year-round. Their Freeman Farm stand also sells home-grown vegetables, flowers and maple syrup.

"We grow everything from tomatoes to trees," Jane Freeman, 56, said.

They got the idea to open their property to visitors after attending a "woodland ambassador" workshop at Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary in Wales.

They joined the tree farm program in the 1970s because they needed suggestions as to what to do with the property. It's their full-time job. And, with the help of friend Harrison Achilles, they are continuously tending to the land. Achilles also will attend the walk and will point out some of the bluebird boxes he's built and erected, along with several wood duck boxes.

"We want to hit on as many subjects as we can," John Freeman, 61, said.

Foresters and representatives of land trusts will also be on hand to answer questions, as well as a retired state entomologist.

The Freemans' land is in the Chapter 61 program with the state, a designation that restricts development while offering a tax incentive for landowners.

"Without Chapter 61, you could not keep a farm now," John Freeman said, adding he can answer questions about being involved in the program.

Another free woodland walk is planned at the home of Ray, Barbara and Maria Korny at 70 Allen Hill Road in Holland on Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. 2 p.m. Participants will look for signs of wildlife, identify the most prominent trees and shrubs, share tips for keeping woods healthy and highlight the trails system. The Kornys are certified tree farmers and own the pet-friendly Restful Paws Inn.

Ray Korny, who owns 30 acres of woods, will be the guide. A forester and land trust officials also will attend to answer questions.

John Freeman said he logs mixed hardwoods for the firewood, noting that clear cutting is frowned upon. Instead, reseeding is allowed to happen naturally. They have customers come from as far as Springfield for their firewood.

Freeman said they are still playing catch-up with reforesting the property as a result of storms that downed numerous trees on the property - those storms included the October 2011 snowstorm and the remnants of Hurricane Sandy last October. Luckily, they were spared the tornado in 2011 that damaged parts of Brimfield.

John Freeman said they did not consciously set out to be farmers: "I don't think we really chose it. It just kind of happened," he said.

Jane Freeman said their grandparents and great-grandparents were farmers. The job "keeps you hopping. It takes all your wits," she said.

"All your time," added John Freeman.

But, he added, "I think the property's priceless."

They've battled invasive species on the property, such as barberry and Asiatic bittersweet. Threats like the woolly adelgid, a pest which preys upon eastern hemlocks and is native to east Asia, also abound. John Freeman said an extremely cold winter is needed to kill off the adelgid, and last winter did not qualify. A woolly adelgid infestation appears like snow on the hemlock needles.

The Freemans previewed the walk on a recent weekday for some guests, including Katherine Blake, partnership coordinator for the Massachusetts-Connecticut Sustainable Forest Partnership, the walk's sponsor, along with the Southern New England Heritage Forest Partnership.

They passed by a beehive, kept by a friend and surrounded by a fence to keep bears out. In the woods, there is a vernal pool, dry from summer, and some vacant wood duck boxes.

John Freeman pointed out the different kinds of trees, from poplar and gray birch to hickory and sugar maple. Some of the trees have little signs in front of them announcing their type, a gift from Achilles.

Back in 1995, they became involved with the stewardship incentive program, which assists landowners with cost share incentives to improve forest productivity, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.

They hope that if those who attend have land themselves, they can discover something that they can apply to their own situation.

Those who would like to attend the free walk can RSVP to the Freemans at (413) 436-7621 or email Blake at kautumnblake@gmail.com. The rain date is Sept. 25.

Participants are advised to wear sturdy shoes and carpool, if possible, and to leave dogs at home. The walk starts at 4:30 p.m. and ends once it gets dark.

For the walk at the Kornys, dogs are welcome, but must be leashed. Rain date is Oct. 6, same time. To register, or for information, contact the Korny family by calling (413) 245-7792 or emailing info@restfulpaws.com. Directions to meeting location will be provided upon request. 